Sunflower or safflower oil and fractions market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in Canada showed steady volume around 50 000 tons in 2018 and 2019, then expanded sharply to over 69 000 tons in 2020. Growth continued through 2023, reaching 86 604 tons, fueled by a sustained rise in imports which climbed from 27 802 tons to 57 799 tons over the period. Domestic production also recovered after a temporary dip, contributing to the overall supply increase.

In 2024, imports advanced further to 59 817 tons, supporting ongoing market expansion. This growth aligns with increasing consumption across Northern America, where Canada leads in per capita use. Canadian labelling rules for fats and oils, including specific naming for high oleic sunflower oil and allergen declarations for refined oils, have established clear market standards without hindering demand growth.

Production sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Canada's production of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, production reached 23 200 tons, representing a 13.7% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 10.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 20 400 tons, with the largest year-over-year drop of 14.3% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions production in Canada rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 35 621 thousand US dollars, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 35.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 35 342 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 35.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced a modest increase of 0.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Canada

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 893 tons, while exports peaked in 2020 at 1 758 tons, representing a 96.9% surge compared to the previous year. This created a two-fold variation between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 40.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Kenya, and Singapore formed the core export markets for sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Canada. The United States accounted for 55.2% of exports in kind, followed by Kenya at 6.7% and Singapore at 6.6%. Together, these three markets represented 68.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 1 555 thousand US dollars, while exports reached their peak in 2020 at 2 699 thousand US dollars, marking a 73.5% increase compared to the previous year. This resulted in a 1.7-fold variation between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 30.0% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States dominated Canada's sunflower or safflower oil and fractions exports in value terms, consistently accounting for 88.0% of total exports. This high concentration left the remaining share distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020

Imports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Canada

Imports in kind, t

Canada's imports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 47 763 tons, representing a dramatic 56.6% gain compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 2 513.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 196.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States and Ukraine served as the dominant sources for Canada's imports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in kind. Together, these two countries accounted for 82.3% of total import flows, with the remainder distributed among other markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions imports to Canada increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 66 810 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic 59.4% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 93.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, two countries—the United States and Ukraine—concentrated most of the import value for sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Canada, while other markets played less significant roles individually.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020